http://displacedtigersfan.com/2015/11/19/detroit-tigers-offseason-wishlist-bullpen/
DETROIT TIGERS OFFSEASON WISHLIST: BULLPEN.
Musingsofadisplacedtigersfan

http://displacedtigersfan.com/2015/11/19/the-tigers-should-trade-for-yasiel-puig/
THE TIGERS SHOULD TRADE FOR YASIEL PUIG.
Musingsofadisplacedtigersfan

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2015/11/26/detroit-tigers-mlb-free-agency/76417852/
Tigers have plenty of money to spend this off-season.
Tigers should fall near similar payroll figure as last year, with sights set on two starting pitchers and two relievers.
Freep

http://www.sportsmedia101.com/detro...lievers-the-detroit-tigers-should-now-target/
Five Underrated, Realistic Free Agent Relievers the Detroit Tigers Should Now Target.
Tigers101

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/2015-16-american-league-non-tenders.html
2015-16 American League Non-Tenders.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-tigers-next-move-should-be-alex-gordon/
The Tigers next move should be Alex Gordon.
Fangraphs

http://m.mlb.com/det/video/topic/40...gers-possible-winter-meetings-moves/?c_id=det
Webvideo Beck previews Winter Meetings.
Tigers reporter Jason Beck takes a look at what moves Al Avila and Detroit could possibly make during the Winter Meetings.

http://motorcitybengals.com/2015/12/01/detroit-tigers-chris-young-could-fill-the-4-pitching-spot/
Detroit Tigers: Chris Young Could Fill the #4 Pitching Spot.
mcbtb

http://motorcitybengals.com/2015/12/02/detroit-tigers-why-alex-gordon-is-worth-the-investment/
Detroit Tigers: Why Alex Gordon is Worth the Investment.
mcbtb

http://www.blessyouboys.com/2015/12/3/9820624/mlb-non-tender-list-rumors-detroit-tigers
10 non-tendered free agents who might help the Detroit Tigers.
bybtb

http://motorcitybengals.com/2015/12/03/detroit-tigers-should-pursue-henderson-alvarez/
Detroit Tigers Should Pursue Henderson Alvarez.
mcbtb

http://www.outsidepitchmlb.com/detroit-tigers-to-meet-with-joakim-sorias-agent/39890
Detroit Tigers to meet with Joakim Soria?s agent.
OutsidePitchMLB

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2015/12/detroit_tigers_sign_catcher_ja.html#incart_river_index
Detroit Tigers sign catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, make two-year deal with Mike Pelfrey official.
Mlive

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sp...igers-sign-setup-reliever-mark-lowe/76909948/
Tigers sign setup reliever Mark Lowe for two years.
Detnews

http://www.blessyouboys.com/2015/12/7/9866838/mlb-trade-rumors-bryan-holaday-texas-rangers
Tigers rumors: Rangers interested in catcher Bryan Holaday.
bybtb

http://www.blessyouboys.com/2015/12/7/9860686/mlb-trade-rumors-brett-lawrie-detroit-tigers
Tigers interested in Brett Lawrie, but where does he fit?
bybtb

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2015/12/detroit_tigers_expected_to_tar.html

DET now after a lefty reliever.

With the exception of Blaine Hardy and Kyle Ryan, the Tigers currently have no other left-handed relievers on their 40-man roster. Left-handed starters Kyle Lobstein and Matt Boyd (sic Daniel Norris, Jairo Labourt) could conceivably pitch out of the bullpen if needed, but the Tigers have no intention of converting either pitcher into a full-time reliever.

There is only one spot available in the starting rotation, whoever does it get it (Boyd, Norris, Lobstein) goes to the pen (ala Drew Smyly). Why is this so difficult for the Tigers, unlike other teams?

Rebbiv said:

[/I]There is only one spot available in the starting rotation, whoever does it get it (Boyd, Norris, Lobstein) goes to the pen (ala Drew Smyly). Why is this so difficult for the Tigers, unlike other teams?

Click to expand...

I have been thinking this all off season. We have enough lefties to where at least 1 of them should work out on the pen. Not saying it has to be permanent, but like you mentioned something to the likes of Smyly. He was the best LH RP we have had in recent memory.

What are your thoughts on someone like Tony Sipp? I heard on XM radio he is looking for 3 years. He will probably have a hefty price tag but his #'s are pretty solid from what I can tell. 4:1 K/BB ratio over last 2 years. I only ask because I see them signing or trading for someone rather than looking from within.

Rebbiv said:

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2015/12/detroit_tigers_expected_to_tar.html

DET now after a lefty reliever.

With the exception of Blaine Hardy and Kyle Ryan, the Tigers currently have no other left-handed relievers on their 40-man roster. Left-handed starters Kyle Lobstein and Matt Boyd (sic Daniel Norris, Jairo Labourt) could conceivably pitch out of the bullpen if needed, but the Tigers have no intention of converting either pitcher into a full-time reliever.

There is only one spot available in the starting rotation, whoever does it get it (Boyd, Norris, Lobstein) goes to the pen (ala Drew Smyly). Why is this so difficult for the Tigers, unlike other teams?

Click to expand...

I don't get it either.

dale675 said:

I have been thinking this all off season. We have enough lefties to where at least 1 of them should work out on the pen. Not saying it has to be permanent, but like you mentioned something to the likes of Smyly. He was the best LH RP we have had in recent memory.

What are your thoughts on someone like Tony Sipp? I heard on XM radio he is looking for 3 years. He will probably have a hefty price tag but his #'s are pretty solid from what I can tell. 4:1 K/BB ratio over last 2 years. I only ask because I see them signing or trading for someone rather than looking from within.

Click to expand...

I have a hard time paying someone $5-6 Mil a year (what is reported he is looking for) for 50 innings, but that might just be me.

Sipp started in the minors as a starter. He was converted to a LOOGY. Since 2012 (CLE, ARX, SDP, HOU), he has been on 4 MLB rosters. Now, at age 32, some team is going to pay him.

Bastardo (30) = Minor league starter, converted to LOOGY

Clippard (30), RHP, does well against Lefties and is a Free Agent that no one is talking about.


2013-2015 wOBA vs Lefthanded hitters (min 40 Innings)

1. Melancon .173
2. J. Lopez .198

9. D. Smyly .216
15. F. Rodriquez .228
26. J. Benoit .239
27. R. Choate (40) .239
32. T. Clippard (31) .245
42. M. Thornton (39) .250
52. A. Miller .259
57. A. Bastardo (30) .261
76. D. Price .270
**79. A. Wilson .272
**81. B. Hardy .273
84. J. Peralta (40) .274
90. M. Parra (33) .275
94. J. Soria .277
102. N. Cotts (36) .279
105. F. Morales (30) .280
115. J. Frasor (38) .283
116. J. Nathan (41) .285
117. A. Sanchez .285
119. T. Sipp (32) .286

130. S. Chisek (30) .288
131. R. Webb (30) .288
142. N. Feliz (28) .290
145. J. Beimel (39) .291
146. M. Scherzer .291
149. J. Verlander .293
163. T. Gorzelanny (33) .297
182. J. Grilli .302

Rather than keep going, here are some other notables, reverse sort:

430. S. Greene .386
408. E. Jackson .363
365. M. Pelfrey .346
359. J. Chamberlain .343
357. J. Johnson .342
351. R. Porcello .340
350. A. Simon .340
344. J. Turner .338
336. B. Badenhop .335
335. F. Rodney .334
328. I. Krol .333
304. R. Ray .326
287. P. Coke .321
268. A. Alburquerque .318
266. J. Veras .318
234. J. Zimmermann .311

218. C. Fien .309
207. D. Fister .308

Rebbiv said:

I have a hard time paying someone $5-6 Mil a year (what is reported he is looking for) for 50 innings, but that might just be me.

Click to expand...

Oh I hate it as well...I agree with your thoughts that RP's should be developed from within or toss ins on trades. Sadly that is not how AA feels so I am just anticipating them signing someone. Thank you for putting those stats together. Clippard does seem like a better option than Sipp. Gotta wonder what AA has the analytics guys working on. Probably his fantasy football team. LOL

Others vs Lefties from 2013-2015 (no minimum)

M. Boyd .468
B. Farmer .465
J. Bonderman .407
B. Rondon .378
B. Penny .371
E. Reed .367
D. Norris .356
J. Valverde .349
M. Lowe .338
A. Figaro .330
C. Knebel .326
D. VerHagen .323
B. Lyon .306
D. Purcey .302

D. Downs .295
J. Alvarez .289
K. Lobstein .280
L. Putkonen .268
C. Furbush .228
R. Wolf .224

Side note Mark Lowe deal 2 years 13m. Ouch!